Tomorrow is Melbourne Cup Day [Tuesday 4 November 2014 for those living under a bush]. In Melbourne that means that your favourite research centre may be closed along with most other places. Don’t panic – it’s a great opportunity to head to Geelong and the Geelong Heritage Centre.

My original blog on researching Victorian Land Memorials [old General Law titles] was posted back in February 2011. Since then the Land Memorial registers have been moved to Land Victoria, Land Information Centre Archive at Laverton. The Memorial registers have been joined by the Application Files, so it’s appropriate to not only update the method for finding a Victorian Land Memorial, but also include the Application Files.

This blog will guide you through the steps to find a Victorian Land Memorial as well as an Application File – follow these steps carefully as there is NO-ONE at Laverton who can help you. Most importantly, don’t ask the other researchers in the library – many will be professional land searchers and to them, time is money. It is NOT their job to help you, so you must do your homework in advance and understand what you’re doing there.

Of course there is no guarantee that you will find a Memorial or Application file for YOUR ancestor, but if it’s there, this guide should help you find it.

Report to the Reception desk – the entrance to the left of pathway off the parking area. There you will sign in and be given an access pass and directions to the General Law Library.

Back out through the doors to the Reception area and follow the path to the left.

Through two sets of double glass doors and the General Law Library is immediately on your right.

Before going to the library, particularly if you’ve had a long trip, the Ladies and Gents are further down the corridor on your left.

You will need your access pass on the card sensor to open the double doors for the General Law Library. Important: when you leave, you need to press the exit button on the wall at the right of these doors.

Once through the double doors the General Law Library is through the doorway on the left.

GENERAL PROCEDURES:

DO NOT use pens / biros – use pencils only.

YOU MAY use your camera – avoid using your flash.

YOU MAY use the photocopier provided at the end of the room.

SHARE your time using things like the photocopier with other researchers.

There is no charge for photocopying but do NOT abuse this privilege.

SHARE your desktop space with other researchers.

SHARE your space with other researchers – don’t be too loud.

TAKE CARE handling documents / registers – these are original records and any damage you cause will impact all future researchers.

DO NOT ask other researchers for help – they are doing their own research and may be on paid jobs – your interruption will cost them money!

RESPECT your fellow and future researchers.

The GENERAL LAW LIBRARY contains:

Bound Memorials of the conveyance (or lease or other Instrument) of land under the General or Old Law, relating to land granted by the Crown between 1838 and 1862. The Torrens System of land registration was introduced on 2 October 1862.

Finding Aids for Memorials

Application Files – created by the Clerk

Application Files – created by the Examiner

Sundry card files / indexes.

LAYOUT:

Left side, in compactus shelves – Application Files [Clerk] in numerical order

Far wall on left – photocopier

Shelves on far end wall – two bound volumes A-K and L-Z index

Shelves on far end wall – numbered FIRST SERIES registers

Shelves on left wall – alphabetical volumes A-Z index

Shelves on left wall and both sides of cabinets in centre of room – numbered SECOND SERIES registers

Bottom shelves on left wall, bottom shelves on both sides of cabinets in centre of room, and compactus on the right near the entrance door – Application Files [Examiner] in numerical order. BEWARE – you will need to get on the floor to check the bottom shelves of the cabinets in the centre of the room – these are often two deep and you won’t find the second row if you’re standing up!

Application Files contain references to Memorial Book transactions to enable the property to be brought under New Title. [Torrens Title] and confirm the legal owner of that property

There are two sets – one produced by the Clerk and the second by the Examiner. A Certificate of Title could be created based on the results of the latter. It is worth checking / copying both sets as there may be variations – remember that it is the Application File created by the Examiner that will enable a Certificate of Title to be created. You will also find some handwriting easier to read than others!

Application Files are stored numerically so are easy to locate.

Take the bundle to the cabinet tops to undo the cloth tape and clip, ensuring that you don’t mess up the order of the files or damage them.

Make sure you carefully do up the bundle when you’re finished – ensuring that the bundle number range is clearly displayed. Be careful that you replace the bundle in the correct location.

Remember to check the second row of bundles in the Examiner group of files.

SEARCH:

There are a couple of methods of identifying the Application File No [Application No.] – BEFORE you visit Laverton:

Certificates of Title – trace back through Certificates of Title, identifying the Parent of each. The Parent Title will generally be found at the top of the second page. It will be a Volume and Folio [Certificate of Title] number until you reach the FIRST Title, then it will be an Application Number. This method is following the Land ownership back in time.

Register of Applications for Certificates of Title using the Index of Applications for Certificate of Title at PROV [Public Record Office Victoria] – VPRS 405, VPRS 16705 and VPRS 460. This method is identifying the owner of the land when it was transferred from Old Title to New.

MEMORIALS:

SEARCH:

The search is in three stages. Our example is a search for Edmond BUCKLEY who had land interests on the coast near Cobden in the 1850s, hence we will search the First Series.

FIRST SERIES: covers the years 1838 to 1859
SECOND SERIES: covers later years with some overlap.

STAGE 1:

First you must consult the index in the First Series Nominal or Name Index – at the end of the First Series books [below left]

Volume 1 A-K was searched for Edmond Buckley [below centre]

In the columns to the left for Edmond BUCKLEY: Book 44, Number 392 [below right]

Stage One, First Series Index

Stage One, First Series, volume 1, A-K

Stage One, Entry for Edmond BUCKLEY

STAGE 2:

Select Book 44 from the First Series books. These white-cloth covered bound volumes are all labelled in black writing. [below left]

These are the numerical indexes which give a page full of details of land transactions of a particular person. [below centre]

Select appropriate Book 46 from the First Series Memorial books. Take it to the cabinet bench top and open it at Page (or Folio) 614. This shows that it is a Conveyance. Edmond BUCKLEY and Patrick COADY are the two parties involved and the date is 10 March 1857. There is also a witness name. [below left]

Book 63, No 319 describes fully the land being conveyed – sometimes, if it is a hotel for instance, it may well state that the transaction contains the wood building of eight rooms known as the King’s Arms Hotel and the outbuildings and stables attached, or something similar. Generally there is no description of buildings. At the right is the amount of money paid by the one party to the other. [below centre]

Follow the same procedure as for the FIRST SERIES but using the Indexes identified as SECOND SERIES [below left] and the volumes for the SECOND SERIES [below right]

Second Series Indexes

Second Series books

NOTE:

The above guide was valid as at Tuesday 28 October 2014 – you should always check that procedures and/or rules have not changed in the meantime. Information should be available from Land Victoria / Land Information Centre.

The contents of this Blog cannot be blamed on Land Victoria – it was compiled and published by a private individual to assist other researchers looking for items in the General Law Library, Laverton.

I’ve heard on the grapevine that regular visitors to the Geelong Heritage Centre in the former Little Malop Street building have not started appearing at the new location in the National Wool Museum in Moorabool Street.

Despite working in Melbourne 5 days a week, I managed to visit the “new” Geelong Heritage Centre last week – I wasn’t sure what to expect but what a pleasant surprise – you don’t know what you’re missing!

This blog isn’t about repeating the information on the GHC web site – it’s aimed at making you feel comfortable about dropping in to the new centre for a visit and some research. Explore the web site of the GHC to find out all the details: opening times, services, activities, events, bookshop, catalogue and much more. And hopefully you won’t miss the great news that the new Geelong Heritage Centre is open FIVEdays a week from 10.00 am.

Join me on my journey to the “new” Geelong Heritage Centre …

THE OLD GEELONG HERITAGE CENTRE:

If you mistakenly go to the Old Geelong Heritage Centre site, this is what you would have been greeted with in November 2013. It looks pretty forlorn but you’ll have a chance to see the artist’s impression of the magnificent new building for the Geelong Regional Library and the Geelong Heritage Centre.

If you’re standing looking at this and cursing at anyone you can think of, don’t get too frustrated – the location of the “new” centre is not that far away.

GETTING TO THE “NEW” GEELONG HERITAGE CENTRE:

Make your way to the north east corner of Johnstone Park – on the way, enjoy the view of the Peace Memorial, Geelong Art Gallery and the Geelong Town Hall. It’s amazing how many people haven’t seen these beautiful buildings from this angle.

From the corner of the Park, walk along Malop Street to the next intersection [Moorabool Street], turn left and before you get to the next intersection [Brougham Street] you’ll be at the site of the “new” Geelong Heritage Centre.

The City of Greater Geelong also runs a Central Geelong Free Summer Shuttle Service that stops at the train station, the Waterfront, Geelong Botanic Gardens and other Central Geelong locations. Contact the City or Tourist Information Centres for details.

THE “NEW” [INTERIM] GEELONG HERITAGE CENTRE – WHERE:

Top Floor, National Wool Museum

26 Moorabool Street, Geelong

HOW TO FIND THE GHC at the NATIONAL WOOL MUSEUM:

The GHC is located on the top [third] floor of the National Wool Museum [below left, centre and right]

Go through the main doors between the National Wool Museum [red] and Geelong Heritage Centre [blue] banners. [below centre and right]

Once you are through the doors, go to the desk on your left [below left]. Ask for your pass to go up to the Geelong Heritage Centre [below right]. You must wear this pass while you are in the building to use the Geelong Heritage Centre otherwise you will be asked to purchase a ticket for the National Wool Museum. Don’t forget to return your lanyard and pass to the desk on your way out.

Access to the top floor is via the ramp through the National Wool Museum. Go straight to the Geelong Heritage Centre – your pass is not a ticket to the Wool Museum! The ramp is a very gentle slope to the top floor – if you have any concerns, ask at the front desk for a wheelchair. Wool Museum volunteers cannot wheel you up to the Geelong Heritage Centre – you will need to be accompanied by someone who can help you.

Continue up the ramp until you see the huge stack of wool bales [below left], go up the ramp with the bales on your right [below centre] and you will notice two entrances in front of you [below right].

Go to the entrance on the left first as this contains the lockers [above right].

No bags are permitted in the Heritage Centre Reading Room so they should be placed in one of the lockers provided [below left]. Remember to take your key with you and keep it in a safe place. Only pencils are permitted in the centre – if you don’t have one, you will find some in the Reading Room.

Return to the entrance on the right [above right], go through the entrance and turn right.

INSIDE THE GEELONG HERITAGE CENTRE READING ROOM:

The reception / enquiry desk is on your left inside the Reading Room, just past the shelves of publications for sale [below left].

Report to the desk [below left] and make sure you know how and where to find resources.

IMPORTANT: The Reading Room is on three levels with a few steps on each side of the room between each level. There are good solid rails to hold as you move up or down the steps but if you feel you might have difficulty please speak to those on duty. Where possible they will bring items to you for viewing on the top [entrance] level so you don’t have to use the steps.

From the entrance:

rows of bookshelves are on the right of the Reading Room on all levels [above right and below left and right]

computers, tables and chairs are on the left on the middle level [above centre and right]

microfiche, microfilms and readers are on the left on the lower level [below left and right].

The new Reading Room contains most of what was available in the old [demolished] Reading Room.

WHAT ISN’T IN THE “NEW” GHC READING ROOM:

There is no direct access to the Archives at the GHC Reading Room. Mind you, very few people ever used these archives in the old [demolished] centre – and only PART of the Archives were held in Little Malop Street anyway!

It was Murphy’s Law that the item you wanted to view was stored off-site in which case you needed to order it in advance and wait for it to be available [a couple of weeks]. So really, nothing has changed!

Make use of the GHC web site to search the Archives and order the relevant item(s) or check to ensure that what you want to view is available when you visit. And don’t forget that many of the more popular archives have been filmed and are available to view on microfilm in the “new” Heritage Centre.

The GHC now has a terrific new scanner which means items on film or fiche can be scanned and saved as an image – don’t forget to bring your USB drive with you!

ENJOY YOUR VISIT TO THE “NEW” GEELONG HERITAGE CENTRE:

Without doubt, the “new” / interim Geelong Heritage Centre Reading Room is absolutely delightful. It’s fresh, well laid out, and very inviting. Do yourself a favour and drop in for some research.

GEELONG REGIONAL LIBRARY:

If you’re still standing at the demolition site in Little Malop Street and wondering where the library has gone, just look behind you – it’s in the Government Offices – the upside down pyramid building [below right].

So far the uploads include part of 1917 and 1918 – keep watching and DON’T FORGET to register and do your bit by correcting as many entries as possible to make it easier for others to find their families.

What an important project and one that YOU can get involved in! Iain Grant and the Portland Family History Group have been compiling a list of anyone who had a connection with building the Great Ocean Road between 1919 and 1932. Unfortunately the “official” records were destroyed during WWII so the only way to compile a comprehensive list is with help from you – the descendants, families, or friends of those workers.

And we’re not just talking about the actual road workers – there are so many others who should be on this list. Local farmers and land owners who helped with provisions. Suppliers, carters, engineers, surveyors, pastoral care workers, medical and health workers, wives and families who supported their husbands, fathers and relatives.

Who provided the tents and supplies for the various camps along the length of the road? There were 2,400 ex-servicemen and 500 civilians working on this project. And how many more were associated with the project?

The 2013 Press Release gives so much more information – it is worth reading and may give you some ideas on how you can contribute – photos, information, names … It also includes contact details for Iain and the Portland Family History Group.

Was your ancestor in Ballarat in 1869? Did they attend the opening of the completed facade and Fine Arts Exhibition by the Governor? Perhaps they’re in these images? What a wonderful thought! These beautiful images are of the Mechanics Institute, Sturt Street, Ballarat and its main hall – now called the Minerva Space.

You could follow in their footsteps and stand in this magnificent room – FREE!

The special exhibition is being held in the Minerva Space in the Mechanics Institute, Sturt Street, Ballarat. This is a great chance to see this magnificently restored room in the 1860s Mechanics Institute.

You won’t often get this sort of Golden opportunity, so why not come along and visit us – you might even win one of the prizes on offer from the participating exhibitors.

There are more opportunities – not free but definitely a golden opportunity – Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th May, Australian Catholic University, Ballarat:

Saturday – 3.00 pm – Regional Victoria: A Goldfields Experience – Susie Zada [yes – that’s me!] presenting on the impact of the Victorian goldfields on regional Victoria. Of course the Geelong region will feature in this presentation and you will learn about resources that may help you find your elusive ancestors on the goldfields. Of course there is no guarantee you will find them but you’ll certainly gain a better understanding of what you might find.

As reported in the recent blog, there were lots of very large gaps for the digitised images. There were 913 issues digitised and online with 1,600 still to come.

I haven’t had time to check them all yet but I have checked up to Wed 31 Dec 1851 and so far all have digitised images. BUT it appears that we might have ALL of them up to 9 Aug 1856 searchable and digitised!

We know there are still some missing individual issues that we hope will be tracked down and included but apart from those, we can now search and view the Geelong Advertiser [under its various titles] from the FIRST issue 21 November 1840 through to 9 August 1856. That’s 2,844 issues online!

I must confess to a little frustration at the lack of movement in the Geelong Advertiser being loaded into TROVE after the initial couple of updates. I did ask a couple of questions recently – whether there was any connection between the questions and the recent flurry of updates I honestly can’t say – I’m just VERY grateful that a lot more has been added!

That said, I was then rather confused at the date range of updates and what was really there when you looked at the detail. I’m sure others may also be confused so I’ve been doing a bit of work identifying what’s really there and what’s only partially there.

When you follow the above links you can see each date for each month for each title which “appears” in TROVE. It is not until you click on a specific date that you either see the first page for that date or you are presented with a message that says “This item is part way through the digitisation process. It will be available when this page passes the final quality control check. This is likely to be within the next 1-28 days.”

If you search for an entry in any of the three titles for the Geelong Advertiser, some entries will include the phrase “[coming soon]”. Click on the “[coming soon]” link and you will be presented with the same message as above.

The following table shows the status of the Geelong Advertiser planned for this digitisation group as at Saturday 3 November 2012. It shows the date ranges that are fully online and those in the [coming soon] category as not yet fully online. I will try to update it when I become aware of more dates being completed.

Year

Date from

Date to

Title

Issues Online

Not yet online

1845

Wed 28 May

Sat 28 Jun

Geelong Advertiser and Squatters’ Advocate [1845-1847]

10

1845

Wed 2 Jul

Wed 31 Dec

Geelong Advertiser and Squatters’ Advocate [1845-1847]

42

1846

Sat 3 Jan

Wed 30 Dec

Geelong Advertiser and Squatters’ Advocate [1845-1847]

100

1847

Sat 2 Jan

Tue 26 Oct

Geelong Advertiser and Squatters’ Advocate [1845-1847]

76

1847

Fri 29 Oct

Tue 28 Dec

Geelong Advertiser [1847-1851]

18

1848

Tue 4 Jan

Sat 30 Dec

Geelong Advertiser [1847-1851]

127

1849

? Jan

? Mar

Geelong Advertiser [1847-1851]

?

1849

Tue 3 Apr

Sat 29 Dec

Geelong Advertiser [1847-1851]

134

1850

Tue 1 Jan

Fri 30 Aug

Geelong Advertiser [1847-1851]

199

1850

Mon 2 Sep

Mon 30 Dec

Geelong Advertiser [1847-1851]

94

1851

Wed 1 Jan

Fri 31 Oct

Geelong Advertiser [1847-1851]

247

1851

Sat 1 Nov

Sat 20 Dec

Geelong Advertiser [1847-1851]

42

1851

Mon 22 Dec

Wed 31 Dec

Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer [1851-1856]

8

1852

Thu 1 Jan

Fri 31 Dec

Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer [1851-1856]

303

1853

Sat 1 Jan

Thu 28 Jul

Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer [1851-1856]

178

1853

Mon 1 Aug

Sat 31 Dec

Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer [1851-1856]

129

1854

Wed 4 Jan

Tue 28 Feb

Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer [1851-1856]

48

1854

Wed 1 Mar

Thu 31 Aug

Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer [1851-1856]

156

1854

Fri 1 Sep

Sat 30 Dec

Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer [1851-1856]

103

1855

Mon 1 Jan

Mon 30 Apr

Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer [1851-1856]

103

1855

Tue 1 May

Mon 31 Dec

Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer [1851-1856]

209

1856

Tue 1 Jan

Sat 9 Aug

Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer [1851-1856]

187

TOTAL

913

1600

An important thing to keep in mind – there are random dates that have not been digitised at this stage due to missing issues. Some are odd dates and others are for a range of dates such as Jan-Mar in 1849 – it is hoped that missing issues will be located and added at a later stage.

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